Africa - Lili on the Loose

12 06, 2017

Museum Monday: Ramses II of the Temple of Gerf Hussein

By Lili|June 12th, 2017|Categories: Museums, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Aswan, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Middle East, Nubian Museum, Ramses II, Temple, Temple of Gerf Hussein, UNESCO|0 Comments

One of the most impressive pieces at the Nubian Museum in Aswan is the large Ramses II statue in the main hall. It comes from the Temple of Gerf Hussein, which is now completely flooded. Some parts were saved and moved elsewhere or in museums like this one. But the main rock-hewn temple was badly deteriorated and made of sandstone so couldn't be moved like the great Ramses II temple at Abu Simbel, so instead it was left to be flooded. Its sad to think about so many tombs, temples, and villages that are now lost beneath the waters.

26 05, 2017

Golden Details of the Hanging Church

By Lili|May 26th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Cairo, church, Coptic Cairo, Coptic Church, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Hanging Church, Middle East, Photo Friday|0 Comments

These hints of gold throughout the Hanging Church of Coptic Cairo caught my eye. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

13 05, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Camels vs Sand

By Lili|May 13th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Camel, Camels, Dream of Egypt, Dream Trip to Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Luxor, Middle East, sand, Souk, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

I really wanted to get my friend's kids gifts from Egypt. I had spied some small stuffed camels in Cairo, and figured that would be good. But after traveling for almost 2 weeks, I still hadn't found the right ones yet. Some were too big, some were to scary (really, dancing and singing stuffed camels are weird), some were made...of real camel? I was hoping for something small, something that wouldn't be made of questionable materials, and something cheap. While in the Luxor souk I wandered into a shop that had these small camel keychains. The young seller made small

12 05, 2017

The Window at Philae

By Lili|May 12th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Agilika Island, Aswan, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Middle East, Philae, Philae Temple, Photo Friday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, window|0 Comments

I loved how the light fell on this window looking out onto the water at Philae Temple in Egypt. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

21 04, 2017

Symbol of Ra

By Lili|April 21st, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Agilika Island, Aswan, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, G Adventures, Middle East, Philae, Philae Temple, Photo Friday, Ra, Sun Disk, Sun Disk of Ra, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

One common site in Egyptian architecture is the Winged Sun Disk, often with cobras and vulture heads nearby. This one comes from a window in the courtyard of Philae Temple. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

20 04, 2017

Electrolyte Powder Needs To Be In Your Travel Kit

By Lili|April 20th, 2017|Categories: Travel, Travel Tips|Tags: 2015, Africa, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Electrolyte Powder, Electrolytes, Middle East, Oral Rehydration Salts, re-hydration powder, sick, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

I like travel gear. Leading up to a trip I will research and see what new toys I can get. But at this point there isn't much that I don't have (and I already have a lot I don't need.) One of those little preparation purchases that I ended up never using (that is until I was extremely ill in Egypt) was Rehydration Powder also know as Electrolyte Powder. I had bought some for Costa Rica in 2012, and carted it around "just in case". Well good thing, because when I was 6 days into a 17 day trip to Egypt in

10 04, 2017

Travel Missteps: The Best Laid Plans

By Lili|April 10th, 2017|Categories: Travel, Travel Missteps|Tags: 2015, Africa, bombing, Cairo, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, falcon, Frankfurt, Giza, Lufthansa, Middle East, Munich, plane crash, plans, Sharm el Sheikh, snorkeling, strike|0 Comments

I'm not known for spontaneity. As an introvert if I don't have set plans its too easy to forgo them. So when I travel I tend to overplan. I'm not insane. I don't have exact step by step down to the minute plans. Instead I have knowledge and options. I'll know of things to see and do, when they open, and what is nearby. Sort of like an al-la-carte menu. So what would you do with one free day? One full of promise, but no set plans? This is what I pondered for my last day in Egypt. I would be

7 04, 2017

The Falcon at Edfu, Egypt

By Lili|April 7th, 2017|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, crown, Dream of Egypt, Edfu, Edfu Temple, Egypt, falcon, Horus, Middle East, Photo Friday, Temple, Temple of Edfu|0 Comments

This magnificent falcon statue at Edfu represents Horus and wears the double crown of Egypt. It was fun slowly watching the sun light up this statue. Every Friday Lili shares her favorite photography & the stories behind the photos.

1 04, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Suckered into Buying Papyrus

By Lili|April 1st, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, bargaining, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, hustle, Middle East, papyrus, papyrus museum, shopping, souvenir|1 Comment

One thing I didn't think I'd get in Egypt was Papyrus. I didn't think I'd find anything I'd want to display, and I had always seen cast-off papyrus at second-hand stores like Goodwill. But, when you are there in the moment you get caught up...and guilted. You see, our group stopped at a "Papyrus Museum" (aka showroom) on our way to Alexandria. They showed us how Papyrus is made, and then each one of us were allowed to look around. Except in Egypt, "looking around" means you get adopted by one of the many employees eager for a sell. An

18 03, 2017

Souvenir Saturday: Starlight

By Lili|March 18th, 2017|Categories: Souvenirs, Travel|Tags: 2015, Africa, Cairo, Call to Prayer, Dream of Egypt, Egypt, Egypt Explorer, G Adventures, Gadventures, GAP, Islamic Cairo, Khan el Khalili, Lamp, market, Middle East, Muslim, prayer, Souq, Star Lamp, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

I've told the story of trying to buy a lamp right as the call to prayer started, this is that lamp. I really wanted a star shaped lamp, and I loved that this one had stars and moons imprinted on it to spread the light. Although the purchasing of it was comically awkward... Souvenir Saturday is an every-other week series on the items that represent travel memories.